HSI2014 Science, Medical Technology and Society
Semester 1 2024-25 Tutorial 5
Remember that during the term test you will be assessed not only for your knowledge of the course
material, but also for your ability to demonstrate a deep understanding of the subject, to draw links
across the various topics introduced during the lectures in your own words, with an appropriate use
of key terms. In your answers, be concise as well as precise. Answers should not be vague and should
be relevant to the question: always make sure that you are answering the question.
Question 1
One characteristic of the natural process of photon absorption: the strength of the energy
absorption effect encountered by a beam of X-ray photons as it travels within a material is
affected by the photon energy and the type of material.
Consider the context of X-ray projection radiography. By using an unbroken chain of logical
reasoning, explain in detail how the above characteristic allows X-ray projection radiography
to generate image contrast. How does this then cause X-ray projection radiography to be
commonly used for the imaging of bones and lungs in the body? Hence describe one
limitation that this characteristic imposes for X-ray imaging
In your answers, you should directly state the concepts from the course without introducing
them from scratch. Focus on using these concepts to address the question. DO NOT perform
wholesale regurgitation of facts from the notes.
This question illustrates a direct link between natural processes and the human adaptations in
the form of medical instrumentation and medical procedures. Can you find similar links in the
other chapters of this course?
Question 2
Explain the concept of the peak bone mass. Describe how this concept has implications to the
risk of an associated chronic disease as a person enters adulthood. What is a catastrophic
event that may occur for this disease and how may it lead to disabilities? Use this to make an
argument for a whole-of-life approach to disease prevention and management.
Your discussions should involve the origins, biological processes, the various risk factors and
prevention/delay/management strategies of the associated chronic disease. There is no need
to introduce each of these from scratch, state them clearly but focus on restructuring them
into a form that will address the question.
Can you also argue for a whole-of-life approach for the prevention, delay and mangement of
other diseases introduced in this course?
HSI2014 Tutorial 5 Worksheet
